Adjustable nozzle



July 10, 1951 C, RJCURTIS 2,560,278

ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE Filed Aug. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 1o, 1951. c.R. CURTIS 2,560,278

. ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE Filed Aug. 1 6, 1947 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2IIHIIIIIIHIHIHIIIIIIIIHIl .EVEHTDF f2/ujf www Patented July 10, 1951ADJUSTABLE NozzLE Clarence R. Curtis, Lombard, Ill., assignor toVF. H.Smith Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication August 16, 1947, Serial No. 768,952

8 Claims.

This. invention relates to an improved fluid nozzle, and particularly toan adjustable nozzle for use as a garden hose nozzle, fountain spray,shower head, and similar applications. 1 large number of adjustablenozzle constructions. have been heretofore proposed and utilized. All.of such previously known constructions have, however, been subject toone or more disadvantages. For example, the most common type of hosenozzle wherein a nozzle head is rotated to produce a variation of thespray emitting from the nozzle has the well known disadvantages ofrequiringa large amount of rotative movement, i. e., several turns, ofthe nozzle head to eiect the spray adjustment and, furthermore, inbeingcapable of interrupting all fluid ilow through the nozzle'v at onlyone extreme rotative positionofthe.rotatable nozzle head. Henceconsiderable manipulation of the nozzle head isreduired in ordinaryusage, and it was generally necessary for the operator to devote bothhands ,tothe-task of .securing proper adjustment or cut off;` Other wellrecognized defects of conventional nozzles are the ready tendency ofsuch nozzles to leak after relatively limited service, the: irregularityof the degrees of spray pro- `ced by such nozzles, the failure of suchnozzles produce a high velocity, cylindrical, stream of fluid for longdistance projection, and the inability of such constructions towithstand any substantial amount of rough handling or usage. Manyattempts have been made to overcome these well recognized disadvantagesof conventional adjustable nozzle constructions but all such attemptshave'been commercially unfeasible inasmuch as they involvedcomplications of construction or manufacture,.which had the result of'`substantially increasing the manufacturing cost of .the nozzles to apoint where they could notv befprotably placed in competition with thecheaper, but inferior nozzle constructions.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedadjustable nozzle, and particularly a nozzle which will overcome all ofthe well recognized disadvantages of existing nozzles and yet embodies asimple, sturdy and rugged construction which may be economicallymanufactured by large quantity, low cost production methods.

A further object of this invention is to provide 2 tation oi the nozzlehead. Furthermore, an adjustable nozzle embodying this invention may beconveniently manipulated by one hand of the operator.

Still another object of vthis invention is to provide an improvedadjustable nozzle construction wherein fluid leakage from the nozzleunder any conditions is positively prevented by a metalto-metal seal,and such seal is maintained fluidtight not only by the pressure of theuid passing through the nozzle but in addition by a positive spring`force.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable nozzleconstruction capable of unusually economical manufacture in that sub-rstantiallyfall ofthe components of the nozzle may be produced byautomatic machinery of the automatic screw machine type. 1

Stillv another object of this invention is to provide an improvedadjustable nozzle'construction wherein substantially identicalcomponents may be utilized to produce nozzles for a variety ofapplications, such as for a. garden hose nozzle and .a shower head forbathroom usage.

Lastly, it is an object of this invention to provide an adjustablenozzle which is of extremely compact construction and incorporates asimple yet pleasing exterior configuration and in which the variouscomponents are of unusually rugged construction assuring a long servicelife of the nozzle even under adverse conditions of usage.

The specific nature of this invention as well as other objects andadvantages thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe: following detailed description taken in conjunction with theattached sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred exampleonly,.illus trate two embodiments of this invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an assembled hose nozzleembodyingthis invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged scale, sectional view taken on'the plane II--IIof Figure 1 and showing theiluid ilow. control member of the nozzle inits'forward extreme axial position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the iiuid flowcontrol member in its rearward cxtreme axial position;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane'lV-IV ofFigure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged scale, elevational view, party'in section, ofthe nozzle head element em-v bodyingthis invention, showing inparticular the formation of the spray controlling surfaces there- Figure6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the rear section of thefluid flow control member;

Figure 7 is an elevational View, partly in section, of the tail elementof the nozzle head; and

Figure 8 is an elevational view, partly in section, along a planepassing through the axis, of a shower head construction embodying thisinvention.

As shown on the drawings:

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hose nozzle embodying thisinvention comprises a hollow body member I which is of substantiallyconcentric construction permitting such body member to be convenientlymanufactured by automatic screw machine processes. rIhe body 'member I0has a bore I I extending therethrough which bore is of variable diameteralong the length of the body member I0 for purposes to be describedlater. The front end Illal of the body 'member IG is cylindrical and ofsmaller exterior dimensions than the rear end Illb. The rear end portionmay be provided with an external knurling I0c to facilitate the graspingof the nozzle bythe hand of the operator.

From the front to the rear of the body member II), the bore I I isdefined as follows: Immediately adjacent the front end thereof, aninwardly Projecting shoulder is provided defining a small diameter bo-reportion IIa and having a conical, rearwardly facing surface IIb which issuitably finished so as to serve as one seating surface of a valvepreventing fluid leakage from the nozzle.

' Next to the conical surface IIb there is provided a cylindrical boreportion Ilh which provides a 'bearing surface for journaling the tailsection I3 of the rotatable valve head I2. O-n the rearward side ofcylindrical bore portion Ilh, enlarged diameter, cylindrical boreportions IIc are provided' which, however, are separated by a reduceddiameter bore portion IId, providing a shoulder '.therebetween. A pairof diametrically disposed,

IId and IIf provides a suitable seating surface for vthe customaryrubber sealing washer (not `shown) A nozzle head unit I2 is providedhaving a generally cylindrical exterior front portion I2a and a reduceddiameter tail portion I3 which may, .for convenience of assembly,comprise a separate member which is threadably secured to front portion`|20, as by threads I3a. In assembly, however, the threads Illa are drawnup Very tight so that in ordinary usage of the nozzle the tail portionI3 acts. for all practical purposes as an f integral part ofthe frontportion I2a.

To facilitate the assemblage of the tail porl tion I3 into the frontportion I2a of the nozzle head I2, a pair of opposed flats I3e areprovided l on the rear end of the tail portion for engagement by asuitable tool. Flats I3e also serve to provide a flow path through thenozzle as will be later described.

Tail portion I3 has an intermediate neck portion'ISb of suitablediameter to snugly t within the bore surface IIa defined by the inwardlyprojecting shoulder at the front of body member `I$l. Rearwardly of neckportion I3b the tail section I3 has an enlarged diameter,Y cylindricalbearing portion I3c which is journaled by bore portion IIh of the bodymember II). surface A conical I3d is provided to connect neck portion YI'3b and bearing portion Isc, and this surface cooperates with theconical surface IIb of the body member to provide a fluid seal. It willbe noted that the arrangement of the valve head I2 with respect to thebody member III is such that the fluid pressure applied to the nozzleurges the sealing surfaces Id and IIb together. In addition, an annulardisc-type spring I5 may be mounted between the rear face of the frontsection I2a and the front face of the body member II) to exert a furtherbiasing action on the sealing surfaces.

A central passage I5 is provided entirely through the Valve head unit I2and communicating with the bore I I of the body member III. From therear of Valve head unit I2 to the front, the passage I6 comprises thefollowing elements: rst, a threaded portion IBa is provided at the endvof the tail portion I3. The threads Ia are preferably selected of highpitch so that a slight rotation of valve head I6, in any event not morethan one turn thereof, will be sufficient to effect al1 the necessaryaxial movements of the fluid How control member 2l) as will be laterdescribed. Immediately forward of the threads I 6a an enlarged grooveI6b is provided which, in cooperation with the flatsY I3e, provide aflow path around the threaded end of rear section 20D of the flowcontrol member 2G. Forwardly of the groove ISI), a cylindrical boresection IBC is provided which is of sufficient diameter to provide alarge clearance for unimpeded fluid flow around the flow control member20 and also to provide bearing support for such member.

Forwardly of the cylindrical bore portion I6c, an inwardly projectingshoulder I'IY is provided defining a minimum diameter passage and on itsrear side having a conically shaped surface I'Ia which functions as oneof the sealing surfaces for cutting off fluid flow throughthe nozzle.Immediately forward of shoulder I'I the passage I6 is radially enlargedas -indicated at I6d and then this surface blends with an inwardlytapering surface Ie which reduces the diameter of the passage toward theforward end thereof. The negative taper provided for the bore portionI6e, and indicated by the angle a in Figure 5, is of substantialimportance in achieving high velocity, cylindrical stream of uid formaximum distance projection. While the exact angle of such negativetaper may obviously vary slightly according to the conditions of eachparticular nozzle design, a small angle on the order of 5 is preferablyemployed. A

The reversely tapering bore portion IIe is terminated at a point wherethe minimum diameter of such portion is still substantially greater thanthe bore diameter defined by the shoulder I'I.. At this point the boreI6 is again enlarged by a generally radial section I6f which blends intoan outwardly flaring or tapering section Ig which continues out to theend of the nozzle head I2. If desired, a slight conical counterbore Ihmay be provided at .the mouth of outwardly flaring portion |69. Theexterior surface of the front portion I2a of the nozzle head I2 isprovided with knurling I2b so as to facilitatethe grasping and rotatingof the nozzle head with respect to body member I0 by the fingers of theoperator.

The control of fluid through the central passage I5 is effected by afluid flow control member 2U which, while it operates unitarily, mayconveniently comprise a threaded assembly of a front element 20a and arear element 2Gb. A screw driver slot 20d may be provided in frontelement 20a to facilitate assembly.

A spray head 2I of generally bulbousA configura- 1S tion is formed onthe extreme front end of the flow control member 20. At least a portionof the bulbous head 2| is of greater diameter than the 'narrow boredefined by the internally projecting shoulder so that in one axialposition the v bulbous head 2| will seat against the front face ofshoulder I1 to effectively seal off all. iiuid flow Athrough the nozzle.When the bulbous head Il is rst moved forwardly in the passage |6 fromits sealing off position, an annular orice will then be defined betweenthe bulbous-head 2| and the reversely tapering bore portionA |6e. Thefluid flowing through such annular passage will be discharged from thenozzle as a substantially cylindrical stream, and accordingly the fluidstream may be projected a maximum distance as determined by the pressureof the iiuid. The distance of projection achieved by this constructionis quite remarkable.

Still further forward movement of the bulbous head 2| will position suchhead within the outwardly flaring portion |69 ofthe nozzle head and, byvirtue of the reflection of the uid stream by the arcuate surfaces 2 laof the bulbous head to impinge against the flaring wall of passageportion |651, a spray will be produced whose characteristics will varyaccording to the axial position of the bulbous head portion 2| withrespect to the flaring passage |69.

At a point rearwardly spaced from the bulbous head portion 2|, the iiuidflow control member is provided with a forwardly facing abutment surface22 which may conveniently comprise the tapered front face of the rearsection 2th of the composite fluid ow control member 2Q. abutmentsurface or flange 22 is also of greater diameter than the passagedefined by the inwardly projecting shoulder Hence, when the fluid flowcontrol member 2i! -is moved forwardly to shift the bulbous head portion2| into cooperative relationship with the outwardly iiaring passageportion lbf, the flange 22 will be brought into engagement with therearwardly facing conical surface lla provided on the shoulder l'! andeffect a sealing off of all iiuid iiow through the nozzle in the otherextreme axial position of the fluid 'flow control member 2li. Hence, afull range of flow control is obtained including both a cylindrica]stream and a variety of spray characteristics as well as a liuid cut-offcondition at each vend of the range.

' The axial movement of the fluid flow control member 20 to effect theadjustmentof flow control through the nozzle may obviously beaccomplished in a Variety of manners, but I preferably employ therotation of the nozzle head I2 to produce such axial movement. This maybe conveniently accomplished by providing threads 23 on the exterior .ofthe rear element 20h of the fluid flow control member 2S. These .threads23 cooperate with the high pitch threads lila provided in the tailportion I3 of the nozzle head |.2 and hence will produce an axialmovement of the flow control member 20 if such member is prevented fromrotation while the nozzle head l2 is rotated. Y To prevent the rotationof fluid flow control member 20, yet to freely permit axial movement ofrsuch member, I preferably .provide a bar 24 which extends transverselyacross the interior of body 'member I0 and the opposite ends thereofslidably engage in the axially extending grooves le. The bar 24 may beconveniently retained in assembly in the grooves le by staking in theends of such grooves as indicated at Hy. The bar 24 may be secured tofluid flowrcontro'l member 2!) in a variety of manners, such as byproviding an elongated slot 29o in the rear end of the fluid flowcontrol member which snugly receives the bar 24 therein.

It is apparent that rotation of the nozzle head |2 will immediatelyresult in an axial displacement of the fluid flow control member 2l)between the limits of axial movement defined by the respectiveengagements of the shoulder |1 with the bulbous head portion 2| of thesealing off flange 22. To permit fluid/flow through the threadedconnection between the tail portion I3 and the uid flow control member2B, in addition to that produced by the path provided by flats |3e, therear section 2gb of the uid ow control member 20 is formed of generallysquare cross section and the threads 26h formed thereon are providedonly at the corners of such square in the manner best shown in Figure 4.Hence, fluid flo-W may freely occur in the clearance between each of thesquare sides of the rear section 2Gb and the arcuately formed threads ofthe tail' portion |3.

The ease and economy of manufacture -of an adjustable nozzle constructedaccording to this invention is readily apparent from the foregoingdescription. Substantially all of the major components of the nozzle areof concentric config-uration and'hence may be readily produced by'automatic screw machine methods. The formation of the valve head unitl2 and the fluid flow control unit 2Q by threading together of twosections permits such elements to be conveniently assembled in thenozzle construction and automatically effects a permanent retention ofsuch elements in assembly.

Although the overall dimensions of a nozzle construction embodying thisinvention are substantially less than that of conventional nozzles, yetall of the individual components thereof are of such sturdy design thatsuch components may be conveniently manufactured from lightweight metalssuch as aluminum, magnesium or alloys of the same, without fear ofstructural failures even under adverse conditions of usage. Furthermore,the nozzle may be conveniently held by the operator in one hand andcompletely controlled by the lingers of the one hand. This leaves theother hand of the operator completely free which is of a decidedconvenience in manipulating a garden hose.

The iiuid flow control elements of a nozzle construction embodying thisinvention may be in-` corporated without change in other forms ofnozzles, such as a shower head. Referring to Figure 8, there is shown ashower head embodying an adjustable nozzle constructed in accordrncewith this invention. Similar numerals in Figure 8 refer to correspondingparts in the modification of Figures l through '7, and hence it will bereadily observed that the tail portion |3 of the nozzle head unit, thefluid iiow control unit 20, the spring l5, and the transverse bar 24 maybe utilized in the shower head construction without change. The frontportion of the nozzle head 4B embodies the same exterior configurationbut, if desired, the exterior may be flared as shown at 40a.

To adapt the nozzle construction for use in the shower head, it ispreferred to employ a body member 3B of somewhat different exteriorconfiguration than the corresponding member I0 employed in the hosenozzle modification. Thus, the body member 3|! of Figure 8 has asubstantially identical interior bore construction as that of the bodymember l heretofore described but on the exterior thereof is providedwith an annular spherical segment surface 30a.. A fitting 3| is providedhaving a neck portion 3|a internally threaded to connect with a sourceof` fluid in conventional manner and an enlarged mouth portion Sibhaving an interior, annular spherical segment surface 3Iccorrespondingly shaped to the exterior surface 30a of the body member30. Hence, the body member 3B Imay be swivelly supported within thefitting 3l and retained therein by a retaining nut 32 which is screwedinto Vthe staking operation which was employed in the hose nozzlemodication.

Plug 36 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 36a to provideunimpeded fluid flow therethrough. If desired, the forward face of plug36 may be located so as to limit rearward movement of the control member20 to prevent fluid cutoff in the rear position of flow control member2U. Also, an axial flange 361) on plug 36 assists in compressing sealingwasher 33.

In any event, it is apparent that the same range of fluid control andspray adjustment is provided in the shower head modification of Figure 8as was heretofore described in connection with the hose nozzlemodification. In addition, the direction of the fluid stream or spraymay be conveniently adjusted by swivelling the body member 30 within thetting 3|.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be modied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted herein otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member adapted to beconnected at its rear portion to a uid conduit, a head rotatably mountedon the front end of said body member and having a central passagewaycommunicating with the bore of said body member, a shoulder projectinginwardly into said central passageway, said passageway being outwardlyflared forwardly of said shoulder, a flow control member mounted in saidcentral passageway, means for axially moving said flow control member inresponse to rotation of said head relative to said body member, saidmeans including a tail portion carried by said head and extendingaxially therefrom to the interior of said hollow body member, said tailportion being rotatably journaled in said hollow body member and saidtail portion and said body member having mating frusto-conical sealingsurfaces, resilient means interposed between said head and said bodymember to urge said frusta-conical sealing surfaces into uid sealingengagement, said flow control member having an enlarged portion on thefront end thereof disposed in said control passageway forwardly of saidshoulder, said flow control member also having an annular abutmentsurface thereon disposed rearwardly of said shoulder, whereby the axialmovements of said flow control member in either direction are limitedand fluid flow shoulder with said enlarged portion or with said abutmentsurface, and at intermediate axial positions of said flow control membersaid enlarged portion cooperates with said outwardly aring surface toproduce an adjustable spray.

2. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member, means forconnecting the bore of said body member in communication with a fluidsource, said body member having a pair of diametrically opposed, axiallyextending grooves in said bore, a support member bottomed in saidgrooves and extending transversely across said bore, a centrallypassaged nozzle head rotatably supported by said body member with saidcentral passage communicating with said bore, a flow control membermounted in said central passage, a slot in said flow control memberslidably receiving said supporting member, thereby permitting axialmovement but preventing rotation of said flow control member, threadablemeans cooperating between said nozzle head and said flow control memberfor axially shifting said ilow control member by rotation of said nozzlehead, and means on said flow control member cooperating with saidcentral passage to provide a variable spray annular orifice, saidorifice being variable as a function of the axial position of said flowcontrol member.

3. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internallythreaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wallof said body member having at least one axially extending grooveforwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a centralpassage and aninternally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled inthe forward portion of said body member bore with said central passagealigned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous headfront portion, an externally threaded `intermediate portion, and anaxially slotted rear end portion, said fluid flow control member beingmounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadablyengaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in saidslotted end portion of said fluid flow control member and projectinginto said groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axialshifting of said fluid flow control member, said central passage havingan outwardly flaring wall surface in the front end thereof adjacent saidbulbous head, whereby a variable spray is produced cutoff, by therespective engagements of said-* by the axial shifting of said fluidflow control member.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said intermediate threadedportion of said fluid control member is non-circular in cross section topermit fluid flow through the cooperating threads.

5. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internallythreaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wallof said body member having at least one axially extending grooveforwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a centralpassage and an internally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled inthe forward portion of said body member bore with said central passagealigned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous headfront portion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and anaxially slotted rear end portion, said uid flow control member beingmounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadablyengaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in saidslotted end portion of said fluid ow control member and projecting intosaid groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axialshifting of said fluid flow control member, an inwardly projectingshoulder in said central passage disposed rearwardly of said bulboushead, said passage being outwardly flared forwardly of said shoulder,and a flange on said fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly ofsaid shoulder, whereby axial movement of said fluid flow controlmemberis limited between two flow interrupting positions and a variablespray is produced intermediate said limiting positions.

6. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internallythreaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wallof said body member having at least one axially extending grooveforwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a centralpassage and an internally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled inthe forward portion of said body member bore with said central passagealigned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous headfront portion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and anaxially slotted rear end portion, said fluid flow control member beingmounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadablyengaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in saidslotted end portion of said fluid flow control member and projectinginto said groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axialshifting of said fluid ow control member, an inwardly projectingshoulder in said central passageway disposed rearwardly of said bulboushead, said passage being tapered inwardly forwardly of said shoulder andthen flared outwardly, and a flange on said fluid flow control memberdisposedrearwardly of said shoulder, whereby axial movements of saidfluid flow control member are limited between two flow interruptingpositions and a cylindrical stream or a variable spray is producedintermediate said limiting positions.

7. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member having agenerally cylindrical bore, means for vconnecting the rear end of saidbore in communication with a fluid source, an internally projectingshoulder at the front end of said bore dening a rearwardly facingseating surface, said bore having a pair of diametrically opposed,axially lextending grooves in the wall flared outwardly, and a seat onsaid fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly of said shoulder,whereby axial movements of said fluid flow control member are limitedbetween two ilow 5 interrupting positions and a variable spray orcylindrical stream is produced intermediate said limiting positions.

8. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member having agenerally cylindrical bore, lo means for connecting the rear end of saidbore in communication with a fluid source, an internally projectingshoulder at the front end of said bore defining a rearwardly facingseating surface, said bore having a pair of diametrilo cally opposed,axially extending grooves in the wall thereof rearwardly of saidshoulder, a noz- .zle head having a central passage and an internallythreaded tail portion rotatably journaled in said body member borerearwardly of said shoul- 0 der, a forwardly facing seating surface onsaid ,nozzle head engaging said rearwardly facing surface in fluidsealing relationship, resilient means operating axially between saidbody member and said nozzle to urge said seating surfaces 7, ,intoengagement, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous head frontportion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and an axiallyslotted rear end portion, said fluid ow control member being mounted insaid central 3o passage of said nozzle head and threadably engaged insaid tail portion, a bar transversely disposed in said slotted rearportion of said fluid flow control member and having the ends thereofrespectively projecting into said grooves, 35 whereby rotation of saidnozzle head produces axial shifting of said fluid flow control member,an inwardly projecting shoulder in said central passageway disposedrearwardly of said bulbous head, said central passage being taperedinward- 40 ly forwardly of said shoulder and then flared outwardly, aseat on said fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly of saidshoulder, whereby axial movements of said fluid ilow control member arelimited between two flow interruptgf, ing positions and a variable sprayor cylindrical stream is produced intermediate said limiting positions,said body member having an annular spherical segment external surface, aiiuid fitting having a mouth defining an interior, annular 50 sphericalsegment surface corresponding to that and means for securing

